10 Most Beautiful Deserts in China (Travel Tips in 2026)

China is huge, with all kinds of stunning landscapes. If you're looking for something unique, adventurous, or just totally different, exploring the desert is a must!
In this list of the 10 most beautiful deserts, you'll get to know what makes each one special, the best time to visit, and some handy travel tips to make your trip even better.
Tips for Choosing the Best Time to Visit:
Most deserts are best explored between May and October. If visiting during summer, be sure to take proper sun protection measures (Daytime temperatures could reach 40°C/104°F.).
For the most breathtaking scenery, consider these two highly recommended periods:
1. May to July – The ideal time to see the desert's vibrant, multicolored lakes, as their hues are at their richest during this season.
2. Late September to mid-to-late October – The best time to admire the golden populus euphratica forests in the desert.
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· 1. Badain Jaran Desert
· 2. Taklamakan Desert
· 3. Singing Sands Dunes
· 4. Alxa Tengger Desert
· 5. Shapotou
· 6. Kubuqi Desert
· 7. Kumtag Desert
· 8. Gurbantünggüt Desert
· 9. Qaidam Basin Desert
· 10. Ulan Buh Desert
1. Badain Jaran Desert
Location: Alxa, Inner Mongolia
Best Time: May–June; September–October
Activities:
· Instagram Spot: Rosy Red Salt Lake (Honghaizi), Bi-colored (Red and Blue) Lake
· Desert Off-Roading: Professional convoy crossing "Desert Everest"
· Stargazing: Light pollution-free astrophotography
Rosy Red Salt Lake
Hidden within the vast sea of sand, 144 dazzling desert lakes make Badain Jaran stand out as China's most stunning desert.
To capture the most stunning colors of the desert lakes, May to July is the best time to visit. For the most breathtaking desert views, sunrise and sunset are ideal, when the dune ridges appear especially dramatic.
If you're an adventure seeker, try the desert off-roading. Unlike other deserts, Badain Jaran's dunes are more thrilling and adventurous as the dramatic 3D terrain features towering dunes with 70–80° inclines. It's essential to go with a professional guide and a well-equipped off-road vehicle for safety.
For a complete desert experience, consider spending a night at a desert camp—enjoy a bonfire under the starry sky and immerse yourself in the magic of the desert at night.
About transportation: Although located in Inner Mongolia, Zhangye or Jinchang are the closest cities for access.
· Fly to Zhangye (Gansu) or Jinchang (Gansu) → Drive to Badain Jaran Town → Join a desert tour
Itinerary Tips: 2 days are suggested for a comfortable pace and activities
· Day 1: Explore the unique colorful lakes, summit the highest dune (Desert Everest), admire a stunning desert sunset, and enjoy stargazing at the camp.
· Day 2: Wake up early for an unforgettable desert sunrise, visit the hidden desert temple, then conclude your trip.
2. Taklamakan Desert
Location: Xinjiang
Best Time: March-May; October
Activities:
· Taklamakan Desert Highway Crossing
· Instagram Spot: Tarim Poplar Forest; Lop Nur (Lop Lake)
· Camel Trekking & Desert Camping
The golden poplar forests
This is China's largest desert and the world's largest shifting sand desert. Under the play of light and shadow, the dunes transform dynamically, creating a mesmerizing sense of movement—a unique beauty rarely seen in other deserts.
If you choose a time to visit Taklamakan Desert, it would be October—this is when the desert is at its most beautiful. The golden poplar forests transform the landscape into a surreal autumn dream, creating an unforgettable contrast against the endless dunes.
Another must-visit is Lop Nur ("The Vanished Lake"), where the tranquil waters once mirrored the golden poplar trees along its shores, creating a breathtaking contrast against the desert landscape.
By the lake, a tea house offers a one-of-a-kind desert afternoon tea experience. Sit at a scenic lakeside table with desserts and take in the stunning views—where the rippling waters of Lop Nur meet the endless rolling dunes of Taklamakan.
Itinerary Tips:
Self-driving across Taklamakan is the best way to explore. A one-day road trip from Alear City to Khotan takes you through breathtaking desert landscapes, including the spectacular golden poplar forests.
If you have more time, extend your journey to other Southern Xinjiang gems like Kashgar, Kuqa, and beyond, where Silk Road history meets dramatic desert scenery. See 12-Day South Xinjiang Adventure Tour
3. Singing Sands Dunes
Location: Dunhuang
Best Time: May-October
Activities:
· Camel Trekking
· Desert off-roading with vehicles and dirt bikes
· Sandboarding
· Desert concert
· Instagram Spot: Crescent Lake
Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Lake
Mingsha Mountain, part of the vast Gobi Desert, is famous for its singing sands—when the wind moves across the dunes, the sand produces a mysterious humming or roaring sound. The dunes here are smooth and golden, towering as high as 200 meters, creating an endless wave-like landscape.
To catch its beauty, climb to the top of the dunes for a panoramic view of the desert bathed in warm, golden hues—sunset over Crescent Lake is an absolute must-see.
For a romantic experience, could arrange a desert sunset dinner there, especially if you are planning to celebrate a birthday or anniversary.
Dinner in the Mingsha Mountain
Mingsha Mountain's grand concert is its standout feature, offering an experience found nowhere else, with the starry sky and desert as your backdrop.
You could also enjoy captivating drone shows and fireworks as well. Feel the unique romance of Shaming Mountain under a sky full of stars.
This is a summer-exclusive experience at Mingsha Mountain. If you want to join big party, visit between June and October. The concert typically runs from mid-June to early October.
Compared to the previously mentioned deserts that emphasize landscape photography and adventure, Mingsha Mountain is more suitable for families with young children. The area is well-developed and offers a wider variety of engaging